Naazim: Algieri Will Not Be Easy Fight For Pacquiao

By Edward Chaykovsky

Veteran trainer Naazim Richardson, best known for his years of work with light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins, says WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri (20-0, 8KOs) will be a very tough opponent for Manny Pacquiao, the WBO champion at welterweight.

Algieri moves up to a catch-weight of 144-pounds to challenge Pacquiao for his world title on November 22nd in the main event of an HBO Pay-Per-View card from Macau, China.

"It’s gonna be a good fight. Chris Algieri is nothing easy, he’s nothing to be taken lightly," Richardson told On The Ropes Boxing Radio. "I’ve always leaned towards experience and that’s heavily favored for Pacquiao. But Chris Algieri, we fought on cards with him, this kids conditioning is freakish and he never says die man, he really, really never says die and that poses a problem with a younger, fresher guy. But I lean towards experience; Pacquiao’s experience should take over the fight and then find a way to get past Chris."